International conglomerate Honeywell has found a continued demand for in-flight WiFi across the globe, as they seek to address connectivity, one of the company's identified priorities.
The survey of 3,000 travelers from the US, the UK and Singapore who have used WiFi over the past 12 months found some very intriguing results, especially regarding traveler wants - and what they'd be willing to trade for WiFi.
A large majority across all three countries believe WiFi should be available on all domestic and international flights - and that it should be consistent and reliable. This fact underlines the fact that 9 in 10 respondents had experienced problems and frustrations using in-flight WiFi.
And apparently these challenges to connecting are significant enough for travelers to sacrifice certain comforts in favor of reliable in-flight Internet.
Here's the breakdown of accepted sacrifice:
- Willing to give up their favorite seat: 38% U.S., 46% U.K., 41% SIN
- Ability to recline seat: 32% U.S., 29% U.K., 29% SIN
- Give up 6 inches of legroom: 24% U.S., 26% U.K., 27% SIN
- Give up in-flight snacks: 42% U.S., 34% U.K., 41% SIN
- Give up beverage service: 22% U.S., 24% U.K., 26% SIN
- Give up...access to the bathroom (!!): 22% U.S., 24% U.K., 26% SIN
These results definitely highlight how reliant the traveling population has become on their devices, and how airlines must step up to these increased expectations with more consistent, reliable in-flight connectivity.
One final note on this study: the desire to stay connected is not because the respondents felt that they "had to." 73% of U.S., 63% of U.K. and 61% of SIN respondents said the WiFi was simply because they wanted to stay connected - a very interesting point in this ongoing debate over connectivity in the air.
See the full image here.
Honeywell is clearly angling for some of the lucrative in-flight connectivity tech business, which would bode well for the above-surveyed users frustrated with current in-flight WiFi options.
Connectivity is red-hot: Tnooz recently covered Panasonic's own extensive (and expensive) attempts at delivering over-the-water inflight connectivity via satellite.
Below is a Honeywell company promo highlighting their efforts.
NB: Airplane image courtesy of
Shutterstock.